US4969308A - Method of attaching a drinking straw to a pack and apparatus for carrying out the method - Google Patents

Method of attaching a drinking straw to a pack and apparatus for carrying out the method Download PDF

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Publication number
US4969308A
US4969308A US07/373,835 US37383589A US4969308A US 4969308 A US4969308 A US 4969308A US 37383589 A US37383589 A US 37383589A US 4969308 A US4969308 A US 4969308A
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Prior art keywords
straws
straw
arm
conveyor
drum
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US07/373,835
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English (en)
Inventor
Jan T. Hakansson
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Tetra Laval Holdings and Finance SA
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Tetra Pak Finance and Trading SA
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Assigned to TETRA PAK FINANCE & TRADING S.A., 70, AVENUE C.-F. RAMUZ, CH-1009 PULLY, SWITZERLAND, A CORP. OF SWITZERLAN reassignment TETRA PAK FINANCE & TRADING S.A., 70, AVENUE C.-F. RAMUZ, CH-1009 PULLY, SWITZERLAND, A CORP. OF SWITZERLAN ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: HAKANSSON, JAN T.
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B61/00—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages
    • B65B61/20—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for adding cards, coupons or other inserts to package contents
    • B65B61/205—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for adding cards, coupons or other inserts to package contents for adding drinking straws to a container

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method of attaching a packed drinking straw to a pack, and to an apparatus for that purpose, wherein the packs can be transported in a defined position on a conveyor which can be moved continuously at a first speed.
  • Liquid packs where the contents are emptied by the final consumer partly with a drinking straw, are known. It is already known for drinking straws wrapped in plastic film or paper to be attached to liquid packs and for such packs to be sold commercially.
  • the problem of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus for attaching a straw to a pack, in cases where the straw is itself in a pack.
  • the method is characterised in that the packed drinking staws are supplied in the form of a strip, separated, held by vacuum and intermittently conveyed to a transfer station, from which the intermittent movement is converted to a continuous movement, and that the separated packed straws are then attached to continuously conveyed packs.
  • the invention proposes that the straws should be placed in their own pack in the form of a strip, and that the packed straws should then be left in strip form and further processed.
  • the straws may, for example, be placed on a continuously fed web of paper at an unspecified preparation station (not shown).
  • a second web of paper may then be placed over the first one in a ⁇ U ⁇ shape--as seen in cross-section to the first web--with the drinking straw inside the space formed by the ⁇ U ⁇ .
  • the free ends of the limbs of the ⁇ U ⁇ are attached to the first web of paper by adhesion, crimping (or sealing in the case of plastic materials). This is done so that a sealing seam is formed between successive straws on the continuously fed first web, and so that the seam can be cut lengthwise to separate two straws.
  • the drinking straw may be made of straw, plastics or the like and its pack is ⁇ U ⁇ shaped in cross-section. The sticking, joining or sealing seam between two successive straws on such a strip must obviously be wide enough to keep the straw pack sealed on all sides, even when the individually packed straws are cut off the strip.
  • the straws are supplied in strip form and if the conveying speed is high, the straws can clearly be conveyed equally fast. As the finished liquid packs move past continuously, the straws can finally be pressed on to them at the desired high speed.
  • the invention further proposes that the packed straws supplied in strip form should first be moved intermittently, thereby greatly simplifying the separating station in particular.
  • This proposal of moving the straws intermittently can only be combined with advantages if--further according to the invention--the intermittent movement is converted to a continuous one, for the packs to which the straws have to be applied move continuously in cases which have created problems in prior art.
  • the type of movement has been converted the separated, packed straw can then be attached to the continuously conveyed pack with synchronised movement.
  • the intermittent movement it is desirable for the intermittent movement to be converted to a continuous movement by moving the separated, vacuum held straw a certain distance at the same speed as the continuously conveyed packs and charging it into an attachment means.
  • the advantages of moving the straws intermittently, particularly when they are being separated, are obvious.
  • To convert the intermittent movement to continuous movement the separated straw is moved at least a certain distance at the same speed as the continuously conveyed packs. In this way there is virtually a stationary state between the straw, conveyed at the same speed, and the pack over the said certain distance.
  • An application device can clearly now transfer the vacuum held straw to the pack with simple means.
  • the separated, vacuum held drinking straw is advantageously mounted on the pack by clamping pressure, preferably at the seam which seals the pack.
  • the straw is desirably attached by adhesion, hot sealing or the like. It is therefore helpful for it to be pressed onto the pack, even if only for a short time, e.g. while the pack is in an application section; this may be when the straw is being moved the said certain distance at the same speed, directly adjacent the pack and/or mounting device. In this way the straw can virtually be pressed into the mounting device, e.g. a pressure arm or tongs, directly and with simple means over a short distance, and can thereafter or alternatively be pressed onto the pack.
  • the mounting device e.g. a pressure arm or tongs
  • the packed straw is moved a certain distance in the direction opposite that of the continuous movement, is stopped and then, when its movement has been reversed, is charged into the mounting means at the speed of the continuously conveyed pack.
  • an intermediate conveyor supporting the mounting means between the conveyor, on which the packs are carried from the pack producing machine at equal intervals and in a specific position, and the separating device from which the packed straws are advanced in separated form and held by vacuum.
  • Such an intermediate conveyor should desirably travel round continuously, as it has to deliver the straws to packs moving past continuously and fix them on the packs.
  • a chain conveyor with a lower run and an upper run is therefore particularly favourable, for example with the straws being transferred to the pack in the lower run and being received in the upper run. It is particularly advantageous for the movement of the vacuum carried straws to be converted from intermittent to continuous between the chain conveyor and the separating station.
  • the pressure arm which is to receive the straw should be moved at the same speed and in the same direction as the straw just separated for a certain distance, e.g. in a transfer section.
  • the transfer from the vacuum holder to the pressure arm can then be carried out with particularly simple means.
  • a reversing slide could be provided here in the region of the upper run.
  • the slide could be shifted towards the chain conveyor, firstly at a far higher speed than the translatory speed of the chain conveyor or even of the continuously conveyed packs, to an end point, e.g. one end of the transfer section.
  • its direction of movement could be reversed, so that the pressure arms or mounting devices could be moved at the same speed and in the same direction close to the vacuum holding devices, e.g. a vacuum cylinder, over the whole transfer section, i.e. from its end to its beginning, e.g. approximately the length of the upper run of the chain conveyor.
  • the transported straw undergoes conversion from intermittent to continuous movement in this transfer section, i.e. in the region of the upper run of the chain conveyor in the preferred embodiment.
  • Further application to the pack preferably to a seam sealing it, is then technically simple.
  • a movably controllable pressure arm has a means for holding the straw, and can be moved along an application section adjacent the pack conveyor at the same speed, in such a way that the straw is pressed on and attached along that application section.
  • the starting point for the apparatus of the invention is a machine forming a continuous row of packs, which move continuously at uniform speed.
  • the packs are spaced at uniform intervals on a conveyor and preferably have a translatory motion. Part of this straight piece is used as the application section, along which separated, packed straws are fixed to the pack. This is done by having holding devices moving along the application section at the same speed and in the same direction. Consequently the pressure arms are virtually stationary adjacent the packs substantially from the beginning to the end of the section, so that the straws can easily be transferred.
  • a row of pressure arms prefferably be arranged on an endlessly circling chain conveyor with tongs, arranged adjacent the pack conveyor, and for each pressure arm to have a cam follower, which is guided by a first control cam for controlled movement of the arm relative to the chain conveyor.
  • the provision of a plurality of pressure arms corresponds to the row of packs emerging from the machine at equal intervals. If a large number of packs is to be produced per unit of time a high performance machine is required, and since the adhesion or attachment of straws to a pack takes a certain time, the output of the machine can be increased by the above-mentioned features.
  • a first cam is responsible for the movement of the pressure arm relative to the chain conveyors with tongs. The movement is such that the arm travelling along a first conveying path assumes a receiving position, in which it receives the packed straws just separated. It then assumes a second position in which the straw is pressed onto the pack.
  • a drum which is driven stepwise with holding means for the straws at its periphery, to be arranged at substantially the opposite side of the chain conveyor to the pack conveyor, and for means to be provided for transferring the straws from the drum into the pressure arms.
  • These measures are designed to separate straws supplied from a continuous strip and pass them to the pressure arms.
  • a drum is provided rotatably, with holding means for the straws, so that the straws can be separated on the drum. This can be done by a cutter going in between two straws when the stepwise driven drum is stationary, and thus separating the packed straws in the manner described above.
  • the means for transferring the straws from the drum to the pressure arms include a reversing slide, which is driven at least partly synchronously with the chain conveyor.
  • a reversing slide which is driven at least partly synchronously with the chain conveyor.
  • a vacuum cylinder to be arranged on the reversing slide and driven stepwise, synchronously with the drum 4, and for means to be provided for transferring a separated, packed straw from the drum onto the vacuum cylinder and from there into a pressure arm.
  • Vacuum is used to retain the straws, at least when they are on the reversing slide. It will be appreciated that a vacuum line can perfectly well be taken from the stationary machine to the slide through hoses.
  • the drum is driven stepwise, the stepwise movement of the vacuum cylinder on the slide makes it receive the straw without moving, provided that the drum is also immobile. The straw is then transferred to one of the row of pressure arms on the chain conveyor by suitable means.
  • an opposing clamping arm which can be controlled by a second cam, to be provided on the chain conveyor adjacent each pressure arm.
  • the pressure arm and opposing clamping arm can work together like a pair of tongs.
  • a separated straw held by the pressure arm can then be pressed against flaps, sealing seams or the like on the pack, since the force encounters an opposing force.
  • This does not exclude the possibility, according to the invention, of a single arm being moved on the chain conveyor and pressed against the pack so that the counterpressure is provided by the contents, i.e. by the pack itself.
  • the means for holding the straw on the pressure arm is a recess with a vacuum hole, and vacuum lines are provided, which can be moved with the chain conveyor and connected to a stationary vacuum passage.
  • the straw is held on the cylinder by vacuum. This enables it to be turned upside down, e.g. rotated through 360° with the vacuum cylinder without changing its position unfavourably.
  • the invention also provides for the straw to be held to the pressure arm by vacuum.
  • the vacuum lines extending from the holes in the pressure arm to the eventually stationary vacuum device must be suitably designed.
  • the invention provides, for example, for a stationary vacuum passage to be provided inside at least part of the chain conveyor, e.g.
  • the means described below are provided, particularly a sliding belt containing at least one hole, to transmit the vacuum from the centre of the chain to parts extending outside it with the pressure arms rotatably attached to them.
  • the strip of packed straws coming from a supply reel is guided over a first direction changing roll onto the drum which can rotate stepwise about a horizontal axis.
  • a large number of recesses, evenly spaced around the periphery of the drum, are trough-shaped and large enough to contain a packed straw.
  • the straw pack is preferably made by taking a substantially flat strip of paper, sheeting or the like, and placing a second strip over it in a sinusoidal or ⁇ U ⁇ shape, so that a drinking straw can fit into the pouch or the interior of the ⁇ U ⁇ with a spacing such that the strip can be fitted exactly onto the drum.
  • the strip of straws is threaded in one only has to ensure that there is one flat strip of packing on the outside and that the ⁇ U ⁇ shapes move radially inwards into the above-mentioned recesses in the drum.
  • Guide rails are responsible for holding the strip in the drum. When the strip has been correctly placed on the drum by the guide rail, e.g.
  • the periphery of the drum contains slots between the trough-shaped recesses, and these slots extend radially deeper towards the centre of the drum than the recesses.
  • a cutter is driven intermittently with a stroke-like action by a pneumatic pressure cylinder, so that whenever the drum stops there is a slot opposite the cutter. The cutter can then enter the slot and sever the strip along the seam between two straws.
  • the periphery of the drum also contains two grooves which are spaced longitudinally of the drum and over which the straws lie.
  • the straw thus lies in a recess in the finger at two points and can be lifted out of the drum radially when the finger is turned. This is not exactly a radial movement, for the finger turns in a circle about an axis, yet the straw is substantially lifted radially off the periphery.
  • the straws are lifted onto the vcuum cylinder, which is also driven stepwise and arranged "below" on the reversing slide, when the cylinder is firstly in the second end position and secondly is stationary.
  • a stepping motor is preferably mounted on the reversing slide. This advances the vacuum cylinder one step while the slide is moving into its first starting position in a translatory motion with great acceleration. A step takes as long as a stroke of the slide.
  • the vacuum cylinder has a polygonal periphery, and when the operation is under way straws will lie in the ⁇ U ⁇ shaped troughs over about half the periphery of the drum, and separated straws will be held by vacuum over about half the periphery, with the flat part of the packing strip now lying on the flat peripheral part of the cylinder and the straw projecting radially outwards.
  • the reversing slide In operation the reversing slide is stopped at its first starting position and moved back at a lower speed to its second end position. This lower speed is equal to that at which the row of pressure arms on a chain conveyor "below" the slide moves continuously.
  • the vacuum cylinder containing at least one peripheral groove, has a second transfer finger arranged rotatably beside it.
  • a separated straw is lifted substantially radially off the vacuum cylinder and inserted in a trough-like recess in the pressure arm opposite. Vacuum is now applied to the pressure arm, securing the straw and taking it to the beginning of the application section; the upper run of the chain conveyor is opposite the reversing slide, and the application section is adjacent the lower run of the chain conveyor.
  • the first and second control cams are in the region of the chain conveyor with tongs.
  • the cams guide the pressure arm and opposing clamping arm of each particular pair of tongs, so that the pressure arm is laid against a pack located "below it" and guided parallel with the lower run of the chain conveyor.
  • the opposing clamping arm then presses against it so that a seam sealing the pack to which the straw is to be attached is between the two arms. This is done in such a way that the packed straw is in the desired position relative to the pack.
  • the arms of the tongs on the chain conveyor move at the same speed and in the same direction as the packs on the pack conveyor, until the end of the application section is reached.
  • the tongs are opened by the cams and the purpose of the apparatus is achieved, in that the straw is now on the pack.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side elevation of the apparatus according to the invention, including the drum, the vacuum cylinder on the reversing slide, the tongs conveyor and the pack conveyor,
  • FIG. 2 is a view of the apparatus from the opposite side, with the tongs conveyor consequently seen as rotating in the opposite direction,
  • FIG. 3 is a substantially vertical section, though taken in different planes, with the drum, the vacuum cylinder and one of the two pairs of chain gear wheels shown in section through their axes, and
  • FIG. 4 is another diagrammatic view in which parts of the apparatus are omitted and the synchronous drive between the pack conveyor, the tongs conveyor and the reversing slide is shown.
  • FIG. 1 one can see the strip 2 of packed drinking straws fed in in the direction of the arrow 1, with a separated, packed straw shown at 3.
  • the drum 4 rotatable stepwise in the direction of the curved arrow, and radially at the top left is the cutter shown generally at 5.
  • the reversing slide 6 with the vacuum cylinder 7, turning in the opposite direction to the drum 4 as indicated by the curved arrow and also driven stepwise by the stepping motor 8 fixed to the reversing slide 6.
  • the chain conveyor 9 with tongs
  • the pack conveyor 10 with packs 11.
  • the strip 2 of packed straws 3 moves in the direction of the arrow 1, over a first direction changing roll 12 onto the drum 4, and is processed by the cutting station 5 so that separated, packed straws 3 are transferred by a first pair of fingers 13, 13' at position I to the vacuum cylinder 7 fixed to the reversing slide 6.
  • the cylinder is in the second end position II, shown in continuous lines in FIG. 1, and thereafter moves in the direction of the arrow 14 with great acceleration, into a first starting position (not shown) at the right hand side of FIG. 1, where the slide is stopped.
  • the clockwise rotation on the vacuum cylinder 7 has in the meantime brought the separated straw 3 into the position III right at the bottom.
  • a second pair of transfer fingers 15, 15' lifts the lowermost straw 3 off the vacuum cylinder 7 and places it in the recess 16 in a pressure arm 17, where it is retained by vacuum.
  • the transfer takes place while the slide 6 is moving in the direction opposite that of the arrow 14, i.e. to the left in FIG. 1, at the same speed as the upper run 18 of the chain conveyor, 9 which moves at a slower, uniform speed in the direction of the arrow 19.
  • the separated straw is carried down to the lower run 20 in this way.
  • the pack conveyor 10 moves at the same speed in the direction of the arrow 21, so that the straw 3 is attached to the sealing seam 22, projecting upwards towards the chain conveyor 9, in the manner shown.
  • the upwardly projecting seam 22 can be seen at the left hand side of FIG. 1 without the straw 3 and at the right hand side with the straw.
  • the drum 4 is driven stepwise about a horizontal axis in the direction of the curved arrow. It contains trough-like recesses 23 in its periphery; these are spaced evenly over the whole outer periphery of the drum 4, to match the spacing of the straws 3 in the strip 2. Between all the recesses 23 there is a cutting slot 24 extending radially inwards from the outer periphery towards the centre, so that there is a cutting slot 24 adjacent each U shaped, trough-like recess 23.
  • An arcuate guide rail 25 is mounted in the upper portion adjacent the first direction changing roll 12. Its lower surface, facing towards the drum 4, first extends horizontally, to help to thread in and press in the strip 2 of straws 3 running onto the drum 4 next to the first roll 12. The insertion of the straws 3 in the recesses 23 is completed substantantially in the upper part of the drum, at the end of the straight horizontal underface of the first guide rail 25. Consequently the adjoining part of the underface of the rail 25 is curved to match the periphery of the drum 4 and ends immediately before the cutter 26.
  • the pneumatic pressure cylinder 27 moves the cutter radially towards the drum 4 with a stroke-like action, so that the cutter can enter the slot 24 and separate the packed straws 3 whenever the drum stops.
  • the packed straws 3 When the packed straws 3 have been separated by the second guide rail 28, they are each held in their respective U-shaped recesses 23 until they reach a position in region I substantially diagrametrically opposite the place where the straw was inserted.
  • the rotation of the drum has brought the straw 3 to above a recess in the first pair of transfer fingers 13.
  • the fingers can move about the axis 29 to the position shown broken off at position I in FIG. 1.
  • the transfer fingers 13, 13' are fixed adjustably to the shaft 34 by screws.
  • FIG. 2 The drive for the reversing slide 6 is shown in FIG. 2. It will also be seen from this figure that the air cylinder 35 is similarly mounted on the slide 6. Like the cylinder 33 the air cylinder 35 turns a shaft 36 to and fro with a short stroke, and the second pair of transfer fingers 15 is seated on the shaft 36 (FIG. 1). Since FIG. 1 is turned sideways from the FIG. 2 position, the shaft 36 fixed rotatably to the slide 6 is at the left hand side, whereas in FIGS. 2 to 4 it is at the right.
  • a pneumatic air cylinder 38 is also mounted on the frame 37. Its piston rod 39 is joined to the reversing slide 6 at the articulation point 40. As will be seen from FIG. 3, the slide is plate shaped. A second point of articulation 41 can be seen somewhat further to the left in FIG. 2.
  • a drive rod 42 is rotatably connected to a cam follower arm 43, which turns round the shaft 44 according to the position of the cam 46 rotatable about the shaft 45.
  • the reversing slide 6 is in its second end position II, which it has not quite reached in FIG. 2, as can be seen from the position of the cam plate 46. If the cam plate 46 turns a bit further in the direction of the curved arrow drawn in it in FIG. 2, this decreases the distance between its outer surface and the shaft 45, so the drive rod 42 moves the slide 36 still further to the right in the direction of the arrow 51, and the piston 39 is drawn further into the cylinder 38. When the piston 39 has reached its end position the slide 6 is thus in its second end position II. From here it is moved along guide rods 52 into the first starting position (not shown), by being reversed after being stopped by compressed air impinging on the cylinder 38.
  • Position III in FIG. 1 is taken to be further to the right, namely when the slide 6 has reached its first starting position.
  • the cylinder 35 actuates the shaft 36, lifts the lowermost straw 3 off the vacuum cylinder 7 with the pair of transfer fingers 15, and presses it into the recess 16 in the pressure arm 17.
  • This takes place while the slide 6 and the upper run 18 of the chain conveyor 9 are moving in the direction of the arrow 19. In this way the straw is transferred to the chain conveyor 9 with tongs.
  • the chain conveyor 9 is driven by the pulley 50 and the shaft 52, which is mounted in the cradle 53 of the frame 37 by means of unspecified ball bearings.
  • the chain links in the upper run 18 and lower run 20 are indicated at the top and bottom by the pair of chain gears 48 (FIG. 3).
  • a bridge 54 is located and coupled to the chain links between the chain of one gear and the chain of the opposite gear. This bridge engages over a shaft 55 extending from the retaining arm 56 of a cam follower roller 57 to the opposing clamping arm 58.
  • the arm 58 is rotatable about the shaft 55 together with the pressure arm 17 and is shown in the top and bottom at the left hand side of FIG. 3.
  • Counter pressure springs 59, 59' engage round the shaft 55 to the left and right of the substantially central bridge 54. While the arm 58 is associated with the cam follower roller 57, which rotates it in a controllable manner, the pressure arm 17 is associated with the cam follower roller 60, which turns the pressure arm 17 around the shaft 55 with corresponding control.
  • the first control cam 61 in the shape of an elongated disc, can be seen from FIGS. 1 to 3. The disc shape is clearly recognisable from FIG. 3.
  • a second control cam 62 is arranged opposite it in FIG. 3 and can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 as a broken line on the outside. The distance moved by the shaft 55 is determined only by the path travelled by the chain conveyor 9.
  • the controlled rotation of the pressure arm 17 and of the clamping arm 58 about the shaft 55 takes place against the pretensioning force of the respective torsion spring 59 or 59' by means of the control cams 61, 62.
  • the opposing clamping arm 58 is fixed to the supporting arm 56 at an acute angle of approximately 45°, while the cam follower roller 60 of the pressure arm 17 is arranged as an extension of the latter, forming a substantially prolate shape for the arm 17.
  • the pressure arm 17 adopts a lying position as it moves anticlockwise from the right end of the upper run 18, and remains in that position as far as the downstream or left end of the run 18.
  • the arm 58 is in a position in which it is swung open to the right about the shaft 55 so that it remains substantially above the upper run. This is the appropriate position for straws to be transferred to the opening 16 in the pressure arm 17 by the fingers 15.
  • the arm 58 starts moving into the closed position at the bottom left hand position in FIG. 1. This is done by having the second cam 62 move way from the shaft 52 of the chain gear wheels 58. But the pressure arm 17 with the straw 3 is first applied to the same 22 on the pack 11 in the bottom left hand area of FIG. 1. This movement is produced by the first cam 61 moving towards the shaft 52 on which the gear wheels 48 rotate, as can be seen from the bottom right hand quadrant of the left hand gear wheel 48 in FIG. 1. At the same time the arm 58 is turned anticlockwise from the rear, clamping in both the seam 22 and the straw 3. In position IV, in the bottom left hand area of FIG.
  • the tongs comprising the two arms 17 and 58 are thus closed and the straw pressed firmly onto the seam 22. It remains pressed against the seam as it travels in the direction of the arrow 21, until it reaches the bottom right hand position V.
  • the cams 61, 62 move towards one another again, causing the pressure arm 17 to be turned anticlockwise and the clamping arm 58 clockwise, i.e. opening the tongs, before they return to the lying position at the beginning of the upper run 18.
  • Hot melt has previously been sprayed onto the surface of the sealing seam 22 of the pack 11 to which the packed straw 3 is later to be applied.
  • the spraying device is not shown, and the process is controlled by a photocell and may follow an exact spot pattern.
  • a vacuum opening 63 provided for the purpose in the pressure arm 17 can be seen in FIG. 3.
  • the opening is connected to a vacuum line 64 extending through the centre of the shaft 55 and parallel with the shaft.
  • the line 64 has a flow connection, via a nipple 65, to a suction device 66 with a discharge hole (not shown).
  • the suction device 67 is fixed to a belt 68 which travels round parallel with the chain conveyor 9.
  • the belt is made of plastics, rubber or the like and adapted to slide over a stationary vacuum passage 69.
  • Vacuum connecting nipples 70' are seated at the beginning and end of a vacuum passage 69 extending round the right hand shaft 52' of the right hand pair of chain gear wheels 48 in a U-shape.
  • the passage 69 has a square cross-section as shown in FIG. 3, but has the shape of a horizontal ⁇ U ⁇ in the side view in FIG. 2, with one limb of the ⁇ U ⁇ possibly being smaller than the other. It is important for the passage 69 to start at the point in the movement of the straw 3 where the straw is removed from the vacuum passage 7 and transferred to the recess 16 in the pressure arm 17, so that it can be carried and held there by the arm 17 until the tongs have closed in position IV. Then the vacuum can be switched off, i.e. the vacuum passage 69 can end, as indicated by the lower vacuum connecting nipple 70' in FIG. 2.
  • the outer elongated surface of the passagelike, stationary vacuum chamber 69 contains a plurality of small holes.
  • the distance between the holes is smaller than the length of a suction device 67 or of a hole in the rubber belt 68 below the suction device. In this way the opening in the suction device and the hole in the rubber belt 68 in the region of the vacuum chamber 69 is continuously over a hole and hence connected to vacuum.
  • the other holes in the chamber 69 are sealed by the belt 68.
  • the pair of peripheral grooves 70 in which the first pair of transfer fingers 13 engage when in the upper position in FIG. 1 can be seen in the drum 4 at the top of FIG. 3.
  • the transporting container 71 for the packs 11, with the sliding and supporting arm 72 at the back, can be seen from FIGS. 1, 2 and 4.
  • the vacuum passage 69 is fixed to the cradle by supports 73.
  • the grooves 70 and the drum 4 mentioned on page 14, line 23 of the German (page 9, line 4 of the English) are arranged so that an imaginary plane extending through the respective circular groove 70 is perpendicular to the axis of the drum.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Auxiliary Devices For And Details Of Packaging Control (AREA)
US07/373,835 1988-07-15 1989-06-29 Method of attaching a drinking straw to a pack and apparatus for carrying out the method Expired - Lifetime US4969308A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE3824013A DE3824013C2 (de) 1988-07-15 1988-07-15 Verfahren zum Anbringen eines verpackten Trinkhalmes an einer Packung und Vorrichtung für dieses Anbringen
DE3824013 1988-07-15

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US4969308A true US4969308A (en) 1990-11-13

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US (1) US4969308A (fr)
EP (1) EP0350590B1 (fr)
JP (1) JP2775300B2 (fr)
AT (1) ATE99248T1 (fr)
AU (1) AU625597B2 (fr)
CA (1) CA1327438C (fr)
DE (2) DE3824013C2 (fr)
ES (1) ES2047602T3 (fr)
RU (1) RU2046738C1 (fr)

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US5067304A (en) * 1991-02-12 1991-11-26 Oscar Mayer Foods Corporation Packaging with utensil
US5273216A (en) * 1991-09-05 1993-12-28 Canadian Liquid Air Ltd. - Air Liquide Canada Ltee Oxy-fuel cutting tip having swaged gas outlet passages
US5375391A (en) * 1991-02-01 1994-12-27 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance Sa Device for guidance of objects connected in strip form
WO1998051572A1 (fr) * 1997-05-16 1998-11-19 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. Appareil permettant d'appliquer des pailles
US5979142A (en) * 1997-10-16 1999-11-09 Indag Gesellschaft Fur Industriebedarf M.B.H. Straw attaching apparatus
US20030019186A1 (en) * 1999-12-10 2003-01-30 Jan Hakansson Continuous apparatus in distribution equipment
US6523328B1 (en) 1999-09-13 2003-02-25 Gilbert L. De Cardenas System and apparatus for an automated container filling production line
US6761015B2 (en) 1999-10-27 2004-07-13 The Keystraw Company, Llc Mechanism for inserting a straw into a container and method therefore
US20100299790A1 (en) * 2004-08-26 2010-11-25 Monsanto Technology Llc Automated seed sampler and methods of sampling, testing and bulking seeds
US20100300040A1 (en) * 2008-02-06 2010-12-02 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. Straw applicator
US20160311563A1 (en) * 2013-12-09 2016-10-27 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. A system for filling and packing tetrahedral packages
US20180029737A1 (en) * 2015-03-11 2018-02-01 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. An apparatus and a method for applying drinking straws to packaging containers
IT201800004920A1 (it) * 2018-04-27 2019-10-27 Apparecchiatura per l’applicazione di cannucce, cucchiaini e simili ad un contenitore
CN110869286A (zh) * 2017-04-27 2020-03-06 Sig技术股份公司 用于将附件施加到包装上的施加设备、施加装置和方法
CN110914162A (zh) * 2017-04-27 2020-03-24 Sig技术股份公司 用于施加包装辅助件的方法和设备
US10640252B2 (en) * 2014-12-15 2020-05-05 Tetra Laval Holding & Finance S.A. Method of operating an apparatus for applying drinking straws to packaging containers and an apparatus operated by the method
CN112872745A (zh) * 2020-12-28 2021-06-01 张家港市霞飞塑业有限公司 用于香水喷头的泵体和吸管的插接方法
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ES2128229B1 (es) * 1996-01-23 1999-12-16 Volpak Sa Dispositivo cargador-posicionador de pajillas para maquinas envasadoras automaticas.
JP3356121B2 (ja) 1999-07-02 2002-12-09 株式会社村田製作所 非可逆回路素子および通信装置
ES2187323B1 (es) * 2000-09-07 2004-08-16 Maria Jose Lopez Fernandez Mecanismo introductor de elementos alargados en recipientes correspondientes, especialmente aplicables a maquinas envasadoras.
DE10109875B4 (de) * 2001-03-01 2005-04-21 Indag Gesellschaft für Industriebedarf mbH & Co. Betriebs KG Trinkhalmanbringvorrichtung und -verfahren
EP3395703B8 (fr) * 2017-04-27 2022-10-19 SIG Combibloc Services AG Procédé et dispositif d'application d'emballage auxiliaire
DE102017109121A1 (de) * 2017-04-27 2018-10-31 Sig Technology Ag Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Applizieren von Packhilfsmitteln
CN108263659B (zh) * 2017-12-29 2019-12-06 广州市铭慧机械股份有限公司 一种吸管收缩供给装置

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US5375391A (en) * 1991-02-01 1994-12-27 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance Sa Device for guidance of objects connected in strip form
US5067304A (en) * 1991-02-12 1991-11-26 Oscar Mayer Foods Corporation Packaging with utensil
US5273216A (en) * 1991-09-05 1993-12-28 Canadian Liquid Air Ltd. - Air Liquide Canada Ltee Oxy-fuel cutting tip having swaged gas outlet passages
CN1097546C (zh) * 1997-05-16 2003-01-01 利乐拉瓦尔集团及财务有限公司 敷贴吸管的装置
US6282865B1 (en) 1997-05-16 2001-09-04 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. Apparatus for applying drinking straws
WO1998051572A1 (fr) * 1997-05-16 1998-11-19 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. Appareil permettant d'appliquer des pailles
US5979142A (en) * 1997-10-16 1999-11-09 Indag Gesellschaft Fur Industriebedarf M.B.H. Straw attaching apparatus
US6523328B1 (en) 1999-09-13 2003-02-25 Gilbert L. De Cardenas System and apparatus for an automated container filling production line
US20040020163A1 (en) * 1999-09-13 2004-02-05 De Cardenas Gilbert L. System and apparatus for an automated container filling production line
US20040237472A1 (en) * 1999-09-13 2004-12-02 De Cardenas Gilbert L. System and apparatus for an automated container filling production line
US6910313B2 (en) 1999-09-13 2005-06-28 Gilbert L. De Cardenas System and apparatus for an automated container filling production line
US6761015B2 (en) 1999-10-27 2004-07-13 The Keystraw Company, Llc Mechanism for inserting a straw into a container and method therefore
US20030019186A1 (en) * 1999-12-10 2003-01-30 Jan Hakansson Continuous apparatus in distribution equipment
US6748720B2 (en) * 1999-12-10 2004-06-15 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. Continuous apparatus in distribution equipment
US20100299790A1 (en) * 2004-08-26 2010-11-25 Monsanto Technology Llc Automated seed sampler and methods of sampling, testing and bulking seeds
US8870729B2 (en) * 2008-02-06 2014-10-28 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. Straw applicator
US20100300040A1 (en) * 2008-02-06 2010-12-02 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. Straw applicator
US10421562B2 (en) * 2013-12-09 2019-09-24 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. System for filling and packing tetrahedral packages
US20160311563A1 (en) * 2013-12-09 2016-10-27 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. A system for filling and packing tetrahedral packages
US10640252B2 (en) * 2014-12-15 2020-05-05 Tetra Laval Holding & Finance S.A. Method of operating an apparatus for applying drinking straws to packaging containers and an apparatus operated by the method
US20180029737A1 (en) * 2015-03-11 2018-02-01 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. An apparatus and a method for applying drinking straws to packaging containers
US10093441B2 (en) * 2015-03-11 2018-10-09 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. Apparatus and a method for applying drinking straws to packaging containers
CN110869286A (zh) * 2017-04-27 2020-03-06 Sig技术股份公司 用于将附件施加到包装上的施加设备、施加装置和方法
CN110914162A (zh) * 2017-04-27 2020-03-24 Sig技术股份公司 用于施加包装辅助件的方法和设备
US11273945B2 (en) * 2017-04-27 2022-03-15 Sig Technology Ag Method and device for applying additive packaging material
CN110914162B (zh) * 2017-04-27 2022-10-14 Sig技术股份公司 用于施加包装辅助件的方法和设备
US11613392B2 (en) * 2017-04-27 2023-03-28 Sig Technology Ag Application device for applying additional elements to packages
IT201800004920A1 (it) * 2018-04-27 2019-10-27 Apparecchiatura per l’applicazione di cannucce, cucchiaini e simili ad un contenitore
CN112872745A (zh) * 2020-12-28 2021-06-01 张家港市霞飞塑业有限公司 用于香水喷头的泵体和吸管的插接方法

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AU3656289A (en) 1990-01-18
ES2047602T3 (es) 1994-03-01
RU2046738C1 (ru) 1995-10-27
DE3824013C2 (de) 1997-02-13
AU625597B2 (en) 1992-07-16
JPH0257534A (ja) 1990-02-27
JP2775300B2 (ja) 1998-07-16
DE3824013A1 (de) 1990-01-18
EP0350590A1 (fr) 1990-01-17
EP0350590B1 (fr) 1993-12-29
CA1327438C (fr) 1994-03-08
DE58906538D1 (de) 1994-02-10
ATE99248T1 (de) 1994-01-15

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